A New Novel, Part 321 She is Quite Strict

21 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 321 She is Quite Strict

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are in Boston, and Aksinya has come to an Orthodox girl's school looking for a job.  She is waiting for the headmistress to call on her, but she happens to be sitting next to a girl named Stacy... 

The girl, Stacy asked, “Are you going to go to school here?  Where are your mother and father?”

Aksinya laughed, “I’m applying to be a teacher here.”

The girl’s eyes widened, “You look so young.”

“I’m married,” Aksinya held out her right hand.

Stacy admired Aksinya’s plain golden ring, “Mother told me they married young in the old country.  Just how old are you?”

Aksinya laughed again, “I’m twenty-three.  I just graduated from Radcliffe.”

“Do you like school that much?”

“Yes, I like it very much.  I never was able to go when I was young.”

“You’d hate it if you were my age.”

“Why is that?”

Stacy held out her red hand, “Sister already used her ruler on my hand, and now I have to speak to the headmistress.  If she tells my mother, I’ll get the strap for sure.”

“Perhaps you should tell the headmistress you didn’t know what the words meant and beg her forgiveness.”

“I truly didn’t know what the words were, and I still don’t know what they mean.”

“Then tell her that.”

“Sister wouldn’t listen.”

“Sometimes they are like that.”

The door cracked open, and a call came from inside the office.  It was Russian accented English and sounded very pleasant, “Miss Anastasiya please come inside.”  To Aksinya, the voice seemed slightly familiar.

As Stacy passed Aksinya, she whispered in Russian, “Don’t let her voice fool you, she is quite strict.”

Aksinya nodded.

More advanced techniques.  At the beginning of this dialog, I describe Aksinya to you through the eyes of Stacy, but I don't use a single word of description.  Stacy asks if Aksinya is going to school there and where are her parents.  This indicates that Aksinya still looks like a teen to Stacy, plus there is just so much wrapped up in this comment.  It drives to the core of Aksinya's previous lack of confidence.  Look how she handles it now--she simply answers the girl as though nothing were amiss.  This indicates her maturity. 

Perhaps Aksinya gets this kind of reaction all the time, because she answers it in an interesting way.  She shows her ring and indicates she is married.  Note, the ring is on the right hand and not the left.  In general in Europe, the wedding ring goes on the right hand, in the US, it is the left hand.

Stacy attributes this to the old country, but notice the admiration--all women (and girls) in this era admired those who were married--it indicated a level of maturity, worth, and wealth.  This lets me move on to give Aksinya's age and again that she graduated from Radcliffe.  The reason for this is a setup to give the point about school.  Aksinya loves school--she never got to go except in Wien for a few short months, and then Radcliffe.  That idea is a lead in to Stacy's complaint about the Sister.  I show you Stacy's hand and Stacy tells you that the sister struck her with a ruler--this was a common punishment for girls at the time.  Poor Stacy knows that the headmistress will tell her mom and Stacy will get the strap.  Again, not an uncommon punishment at the time.

Aksinya's advice comes directly from her own experience.  This is supposed to be a small parallel.  This sets up the conversation for a couple of jokes, one about the sister not listening and the other about Stacy not knowing what the dreaded words meant.

Then, the headmistress calls for Stacy.  She speaks English.  The fact that the voice is familiar is a foreshadowing.  Stacy has accepted Aksinya as an intimate--she passes on some advice herself.  Tomorrow, the result of Stacy's interview.

A New Novel, Part 320 What were the Words?

20 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 320 What were the Words?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are in Boston, and Aksinya has come to an Orthodox girl's school looking for a job.  She is waiting for the headmistress to call on her, but she happens to be sitting next to a student... 

The maid turned a stern look at the girl then pointed to the seats.  Aksinya sat next to the girl.  The maid knocked at the office, entered and closed the door behind her.  She exited just a moment later, “The headmistress will call for you in a moment.”

Aksinya answered “Thank you.”

The girl beside her stared at Aksinya.

Aksinya stared back, “I’m Aksinya Andreiovna Lopuhin, and you are?”

The girl answered, “I’m Anastasiya, but everyone calls me Stacy.”  Her Russian was from Moscow, but the name Stacy was said purely in English.

Aksinya laughed, “Do you speak English?”

“Not well.  We’re supposed to learn it here.”

“Are you?”

“Too well.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My brother taught me some words and the Sister didn’t like me to say them at all.”

“What were the words?”

Stacy motioned for Aksinya to lower her head a little and whispered into her ear.

Aksinya blushed, “Is that why you are here to speak to the headmistress?”

Stacy nodded woefully.

“You have a Nun teaching here?”

“Yes, she is Orthodox but not from Russia.”

“What does she teach?”

“English, German, and French, but mostly German.”

“I see.”

All right, here is an advanced method to show you about a character.  I set up a situation.  Here is a girl who is being punished for some misdeed.  I sit Aksinya next to her.  The ensuing conversation allows me to tell you something about the school, but even more about Aksinya.  This is a method to get across information to your readers without telling them anything.  Plus, you can use this type of conversational scene to get under the skin of your character a little. 

The first glance is interesting enough--the girl stares at Aksinya.  Aksinya looks odd enough for a child to stare at her.  We will discover why, but the point should be made that the girl feels comfortable about Aksinya--comfortable enough to stare.  Aksinya stares back--that's just Aksinya.  She introduces herself, and the girl, Stacy responds. 

The point I wanted you to get here is that the girl is from Moscow, but she is acclimating to America.  Stacy is certainly not a Russian diminutive for Anastasiya.  Stacy was pronounced so well in English, Aksinya asks about is, and we learn that part of this school's focus--English and assimilation.  Then we learn why Stacy is waiting to speak to the headmistress.  Notice, I never tell you the words--don't have to.  Your imagination provides them for me.  This also lets me bring up the point of a nun teaching at the school.  This is a foreshadowing, and one part of the reason I wanted to put in this scene.  We get a little information about this nun.  Tomorrow, more about Stacy.

A New Novel, Part 319 The Headmistress Will Call for You in a Moment

19 August 2011, A New Novel, Part 319 The Headmistress Will Call for You in a Moment

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Dobrushin and Aksinya married.  Aksinya and Dobrushin are in Boston, and Aksinya has come to an Orthodox girl's school looking for a job... 

Aksinya pulled the bell.  After a couple of minutes a matronly woman dressed as a chamber maid answered the door.  She was pleasant looking.  Aksinya smiled and announced in English, “I am Mrs. Aksinya Andreiovna Lopuhin.”

The maid responded in broken English, “This is a Russian academy, are you certain you are at the right place?  We don’t accept married students.”

Aksinya changed to Russian, “I am here to apply for the position of English and linguistics teacher.  You posted it with the Russian exchange office.”

“Yes, so we did.”  The woman frowned and looked Aksinya up and down.

“Is there a problem?”

“None at all.”  The woman’s tone of voice said there was.  “I’ll take you to see the headmistress.  She is also the wife of the owner of this school.”

The building was similar to many of the row houses Aksinya was familiar with in Boston.  The foyer wasn’t large.  It opened to a stairway that led up into the building and a hall that led to the rear.  A parlor was on the right and a classroom on the left.  Aksinya could hear the teacher lecturing through the closed door. 

The maid didn’t lead Aksinya into the parlor or upstairs but rather headed down the hall on the first floor.  They passed a second and a third classroom on the left and right and finally arrived at a large dining room and kitchen.  They were also on the left.  On the right was a door labeled Office of the Headmistress.  The door was closed.  Outside the door sat four hardback chairs in a row.  A girl of about twelve slumped in one of the seats.  She didn’t seem very happy.

The maid turned a stern look at the girl then pointed to the seats.  Aksinya sat next to the girl.  The maid knocked at the office, entered and closed the door behind her.  She exited just a moment later, “The headmistress will call for you in a moment.”

Aksinya answered “Thank you.”

The scene setting is complete and notice I move directly into conversation.  Aksinya announces herself in such a way that she doesn't give her title or her rank.  She uses her husband's name.  This might catch the modern reader off guard.  A noble woman would continue to use her title.  Aksinya has given up her nobility--just as Dobrushin gave up his profession and Church rank.

The maid responds in broken English--this way you know she is Russian.  I don't have to tell you this--I show it to you.  The maid mistakes Aksinya for an American, and she punctuates Aksinya's fears by thinking Aksinya is seeking to be a student there.  This is another reminder of Aksinya's appearance.  Notice the advanced writing technique used to show this.

Aksinya changes to Russian--another reminder of the maid's language.  She announces her intentions.  I give you a little historical knowledge.  There were no Russian embassies.  The USSR was not acknowledged by the USA.  The best there were was exchange offices.  The maids attention to Aksinya builds the tension.  The woman finally decides to take Aksinya to the headmistress, but she isn't happy about it.  I give you a little information as a foreshadowing that the headmistress is the wife of the owner of the school.  A little history here too--men usually owned the property of their wives.

Now, I give you scene setting of the inside of the building.  It is a typical row house that incorporates a school.  The rest is a tour of the lower floor to the headmistress' office.  Outside the office are chairs for waiting and a girl is sitting in one of the chairs.  You can guess already why the girl is there.  I don't tell you anything--I show you: she is slumped and not happy, and the maid gives her a stern look.

Aksinya sits next to the girl.  You knew Aksinya would--that is her personality.  The maid announces Aksinya.  Tomorrow, conversation with the girl.

A New Novel, Part 146 What are Your Intentions?

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.

Ernst has invited Aksinya to go to dinner and the opera on Christmas Eve...


On Wednesday evening, Ernst’s landau drove up to Aksinya’s front door. Ernst brought another bouquet. It included a red rose in a nest of small blue flowers. Aksinya wore her mink cloak when she stepped out of her house, but Natalya hadn’t tied the collar very tightly so Aksinya’s brilliant red silk and pink lace gown showed at the opening. The dress fit her perfectly and showed off her status and limited figure to best effect.


As Aksinya stepped out of her house, Natalya touched her arm and pointed at the windows of Sacré Coeur that overlooked the street. The faces of their classmates were pressed against the tall windows. Aksinya raised her bouquet and waved. Fraulein Vogt and Fraulein Pfaff waved back. Fraulein Trauen stepped quickly away from the window and out of sight. A host of other younger girls waved back vigorously.

Ernst glanced up and laughed. He didn’t wave—he placed his finger at the side of his nose and winked at the girls. Ernst and his driver helped Aksinya and Natalya into the landau. The driver snuggly tied down the leather sides.

After the landau began to move, Ernst laughed again, “Your cheering gallery was out in force tonight. I didn’t notice them before.”

Aksinya kept her head forward, “They weren’t there before.”

Ernst stroked his chin, “Why not?”

“I told them the other time, but I don’t think they believed me. Plus, the fact I had a house was somewhat a secret at the time.”

“It isn’t a secret now?”

“It is still a secret, but such things are nearly impossible to keep quiet in a school for girls.”

He laughed again.

Aksinya frowned, “Where is my book?”

“It is safe. I promise you, Countess.”

“When will you return it to me?”

Ernst sat back and turned more toward her, “Perhaps, Countess when I have my way with you.”

Aksinya blushed but smiled behind her hand.

Natalya also colored, “I warn you Herr von Taaffe, my understanding of German is improving and your comment was most unbecoming.”

“I apologize to both of you. I did not intend my words to be taken as innuendo. I simply don’t want to give up my surety until I am certain I have achieved my goals.”

Natalya squinted through the darkness in the landau at Ernst, “I would like to know just what your intentions are toward my mistress.”

“Shouldn’t her uncle ask me that?”

“I protect her, so you must answer to me.”

“Very well. I am obviously wooing her with the intention of marriage.”

Natalya sat back, “I gathered as much, but I wanted to hear that from your lips.” Natalya had a very thoughtful look on her face, but it was mostly covered by the deep shadows in the landau.

I don't need to use many words to describe the scene.  You already know Ernst's landau.  You already know Aksinya's house and the street where the school and the house lie.  Those parts that have changed are the most important.  Those details are necessary. 

Ernst brings a bouquet with a red rose and blue flowers.  You already know about red roses and their meaning in Germanic cultures.  Now, take a look at the way Natalya has dresses Aksinya.  Aksinya has on her mink cloak (of course she does).  Natalya has left Aksinya's cloak open slightly.  That reveals Aksinya's dress and body.  Natalya is obviously framing Aksinya for Ernst.  She is like a red rose in a nest of a mink cloak.  This is a parallelism using description.  It is an advanced writing technique.  I use it extensively throughout my writing.  There are many examples, most are not as obvious as this one.  Note, the dress shows off Aksinya and her status.

The attention and status of Aksinya at Sacré Coeur are revealed in the next paragraph.  The girls are watching for Aksinya to go out on her date.  Fraulein Vogt and Pfaff are excited for Aksinya.  Fraulein Trauen not so much.  Ernst gives a romantic response to the girls in the school.  They admired him.  Now, they love him too.  Then Aksinya tells Ernst a little about the situation at the school and with the girls.  This is intended as a bit of entertainment.  Aksinya's response: secrets are hard to keep in a girl's school.  Still, she isn't taken in by Ernst, her first question: "Where is my book?"  This simple question gives Ernst an opportunity to make a statement of questionable pedigree.  It is an completely inappropriate statement, but we aren't certain how innocent it is.  Aksinya really is warming to Ernst.  She isn't offended at all.

Natalya is offended for Aksinya.  She calls Ernst on his statement.  Ernst apologises and shows us that he isn't as intentionally inappropriate as his words might seem.  Ernst has goals and Natalya wants to know what those goals are.  Ernst's answer is straight forward.  We could have guessed that this was Ernst's purpose.  He is wooing Aksinya with the intention of marriage.  Natalya's response seems ambivalent, but she did prepare Aksinya as a bouquet for Ernst.  Tomorrow, dinner and the opera.

A New Novel, Part 145 He Worships Me Too

For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.


Ernst invited himself to dinner on Saturday evening at Grossbock.  We join Aksinya on Sunday morning...


Aksinya felt a little better at the Ecclesia on Sunday. The younger priest, Father Dobrushin’s piercing glance seemed to linger too much on her face, but Aksinya wasn’t certain if that was just her imagination. She didn’t speak to either of the priests that morning. Asmodeus did not make an appearance the entire weekend.


Aksinya and Natalya had a good beginning week at school. Natalya spoke passable German with a Russian accent. She was fluent enough now that she could keep up with her classes. Natalya still tutored her, but expended more effort on her own work. Her teachers were pleased. Natalya was pleased. Sister Margarethe was pleased. Aksinya was somewhat pleased with herself.

On Tuesday during dinner, Fraulein Pfaff again engaged Aksinya in conversation, “Well Countess, did you hear again from Herr von Taaffe?”

Aksinya grinned, “He came to dinner on Saturday.”

Fraulein Trauen dropped her fork, “At Grossbock?”

“Yes, at Grossbock.”

Fraulein Vogt asked, “Did you invite him?”

Aksinya sat up straight, “No, he invited himself through the Freiherr and Freifrau, but he informed me first of his intentions.”

Fraulein Pfaff clapped her hands together, “That is soooo suave. He is obviously a well bred gentleman.”

The elder sister at the table snapped her fingers at Fraulein Pfaff’s clap and loud response.

Fraulein Pfaff put her hands at her side and lowered her voice, “Sorry sister.”

Fraulein Vogt spoke excitedly, “Still that is very polished of him. I am more and more impressed by this gentleman. Has he asked you to accompany him again, Countess?”

“He has invited me to the opera and dinner on Wednesday.”

Natalya nodded.

Fraulein Trauen grinned over her glass, “That’s Christmas Eve. I hope you don’t intend to drink as much that other evening.”

Aksinya’s lips turned up in a grin, “I intend to drink and eat as much as I like. I shall not drink so much I will miss any of Ernst’s advances.”

“Ernst?” Fraulein Trauen dropped her knife.

“Yes, he asked me to call him by his given name.”

Fraulein Trauen’s eyes widened, “And you do?”

“Of course I do. Why should I not?”

Fraulein Trauen was breathless, “What does he call you?”

Aksinya put her chin on the back of her hand and batted her eyes at Fraulein Trauen, “He calls me, Countess, of course.”

When I want to indicate to you Aksinya's spiritual condition, I show you how things go at the Mass.  In this case, the Freiherr and Freifrau take Aksinya and Natalya to the Orthodox Ecclesia.  There is a writer's trick here.  I do not want you to forget about the Ecclisia, and I don't want you to forget about Father Dobrushin.  He bothers Aksinya--this in itself should be an indicator.  Asmodeus hasn't made an appearance in a while.  Do you remember Aksinya's realization that the demon might be in the room with her and she wouldn't know?
 
The world is happy.  Aksinya is content.  Natalya is content.  Natalya is progressing--Aksinya not so much.  Remember, study was the thing Aksinya loved.  She gave it up somewhat for Natalya.  Still, everyone seems pleased with the world.
 
We transition to the Tuesday dinner conversation.  I hope you enjoy these conversations as much as I enjoy writing them.  When I set up the entire existence of the girl's school, I intended these conversations to enlighten you about many incidents around and within Aksinya's life.  As I wrote before, one of the reasons for the setting was to allow this kind of information flow.  I think this writing technique is effective and entertaining.  If you want to use this technique, you must set up a situation that requires it.  I recommend at least three or so adversaries.  You must describe them and delineate them by their personalities and descriptions.
 
For this dinner conversation, the purpose is to communicate Aksinya's thoughts about Ernst.  That is generally the purpose of all these kinds of dialogs.  They allow the author to convey information to the reader without telling you what the character thinks.  In every case, there is also some degree of unsurity about the true thoughts of the characters.  Just like in real life, the reader should not know more than they can see or perceive.  This is a critical rule in good writing. 
 
The topic of conversation is announced immediately by Fraulein Pfaff.  She is the positive character and the curious one.  She is positive in her approach to Aksinya.  Fraulein Trauen is the negative character.  She is adversarial toward Aksinya.  Fraulein Trauen's reaction tells you a lot about her thinking.  She knows the name of the Bockmann's estate, and she knows Akinsya and Natalya go there for the weekends.  Perhaps this is common knowledge in the school.  I never told you it was.  You assume it from the Fraulein's statement, but there is more.  Fraulein Trauen's reaction also shows you that for a gentleman to come calling at the house of a lady is a big deal.  You know in this culture that is true.
 
Fraulein Vogt is the neutral figure.  Her father is also the politician.  She asks the obvious question.  The answer to such a question will give much information to the ladies at the table.  That Ernst invited himself and it was accepted by the Freiherr is a big deal.  This shows them that he is pursuing Aksinya with the blessings of her uncle.  To Ernst's credit, he also told Aksinya he was coming to dinner on Saturday.  He really didn't have to.  Thus Fraulein Pfaff's reaction.
 
The Sister at the table has not had much input at all before.  I didn't tell you she was a little deaf, but you might figure that out.  Fraulein Pfaff's loud reaction gets a reproof.  We get a reaffirmation from Fraulein Vogt about Ernst's gentlemanliness.  Plus, Akinsya can then tell them Ernst asked her out again.  Natalya is not unhappy with the invitation.
 
Fraulein Trauen takes the opportunity to get in a jibe at Aksinya's expense.  She also gives me the opportunity to remind you of the scene setting in time--it is approaching Christmas Eve.  Aksinya's reposte' is to the point and repeats the last kicker in this setting.  She adds a little piece of information in her response, however.  For her to call Ernst by his first name is a great intimacy in this time and social setting.  It indicates very much to these ladies.  Fraulein Trauen shows you that with her reaction.  The important question from all the ladies around the table is what does Ernst call Aksinya?  If he uses her given name, that means they are lovers.  This is the response they all expect.  If he calls her Fraulein, that means they are equals in relationship, but not intimate.  Aksinya's answer floors them, it shows that she has not given over any intimacy from her degree of aristocracy.  The fact that Ernst holds to that shows both his respect for Aksinya and the degree of difference between them.  Aksinya might as well have said Ernst is her lapdog.  Her response shows her degree of control over the relationship and puts the respect of the ladies at a new level.  We will observe this new level of respect tomorrow.

A New Novel, Part 3 The Girl and the Demon

Thank you Helena P. Schrader, www.Schradershistoricalfiction.blogspot.com for your great comment on writing historical fiction. I do move in different genres, but my focus is clearly historical. I know that might be difficult to fathom, but even my science fiction is in some degree historically based.

Right now, I'm taking a break from writing by writing. I'm waiting for my tea water to boil so I can prepare Russian tea and eat two left over Krispy Kreem chocolate glazed donuts. Seems like a worthwhile thing to me. I'm wondering if I should have a cigar as well. Such richness in life is the richness of a great novel. You should be able to imagine the tastes, smells, colors, feel, and sounds of the world encompassed by the writing. In Daemon (working title) I want you to feel with Aksinya all she experiences, but especially her constant fight against temptation.

Why pick a woman as the main character. Many of my recent books are plagued with women as the primary characters. I don't just choose them for fun. There is a reason and it is directly related to the theme. Primarily, a woman can be an immediate pathetic character (I don't mean this in a negative fashion). Pathetic means: affecting or exciting emotion. A woman as a character instantly draws your reader into an emotional response. When I describe Aksinya as plain and yet loving, when I tell you that she is willing to risk her soul to save her family, your immediate response is to like her. When I describe her temptations, her personal demon does tempt her sorely, you have pity on her. On the other hand, if I made her character a man, your response to her temptation would not be pity, but anger and disgust. Though men are as tempted as women, you expect a man to be tough and to always be able to fight temptation. You expect a man to be a certain way, and if I write a man as an effeminate character, you won't like him. On the other hand, if I write a woman as a manly character, you will applaud her. So for this reason, because my theme requires an emotionless, manly, but pathetic character, I choose to make her a woman. Here is her description from the first page of the novel (actually the beginning of the novel):

"The dank stone room was filled with shadows. Every corner oozed darkness. Within a pentagram that was encompassed by a circle stood a slight young woman. Fat yellow beef-tallow candles marked the points of the pentagram and weakly illuminated only the area around her. A brazier of incense filled the room with the scent of myrrh along with an underlying smell that was indeterminate, but left a taste of blood in the mouth. The woman was dressed in a black dress that was much too large for her. Beautiful handmade lace cascaded down the front of the dress and decorated the sleeves. Thick velvet competed with black satin to form a perfect attire to greet a Tsar, but certainly not a commissar. The gown fell loosely away from the woman’s thin chest and small breasts. It looked odd draped on her body, like a girl playing dress-up from her mother’s closet. But this dress obviously came from the closet of a princess.

Aksinya, the woman within the pentagram, squinted across the dark cellar. She was barely seventeen and too thin for her age. She was petit; that was a polite way of saying small. And underdeveloped, that was a polite way of saying she didn’t yet appear much like a woman. Aksinya’s hair was brown and her face was plain. Her voice was soft and sometimes too shrill. When she was excited it rose in strength and pitch, so she never sounded very mature or well mannered."

Aksinya does conjure a real demon, Asmodeus. The demon:

"Immediately, Aksinya’s words changed. They words of enticing and cajoling became those of welcoming and greeting. They leapt automatically from her lips. As she spoke, she carefully watched the shape across the room. It began to move. At first it rose and fell as though it was just beginning to breathe, and then it began to grow. It unfolded like a flower, but this flower was like nothing beautiful the earth had ever seen. It was man-shaped and black. Its skin and muscles clung to it as though it was only bone and muscle without any fat at all. When it had unfolded completely, it touched the top of the ceiling, at least seven feet tall. More than two meters. Its limbs were long and at the end of its fingers were talons and of its feet were claws. They were black too. Its face was black and handsome. Fangs jutted out of its lips on the top and the bottom, but the face was aristocratic and fine. At its head were ears that lifted up points like an animal and horns at either side.

The creature was naked, and Aksinya’s eyes moved almost without her control downward. There was nothing there. It was like an expurgated statue. There was nothing but a pubic bulge. Aksinya wasn’t certain whether to be disappointed. She raised her hands in the final greeting and let them fall."

So, we have the girl and the demon. That is the beginning.